Just then,
Oshitari appeared in front of the ball once again.
No one knew when he had shown up.
"The wind's picked up now, you two from Seigaku!"
After saying that, Oshitari struck the ball with a backhand.
Whoosh!
He slammed the ball across the court!
The ball spun fiercely as it flew toward the middle of the court between Oishi and Kikumaru!
In the blink of an eye, it was right in front of Oishi.
"What? He can even return that?"
"When did he appear over there?"
"That speed is terrifying. Is this the strength of a regular on Hyotei's team?"
But the surprises weren't over yet.
The ball crossed the net, then suddenly changed course and began climbing higher and higher, all the way into the sky.
Then it dropped behind Oishi and bounced quickly back toward Oshitari.
At last, it returned to Oshitari's hand!
The move left everyone from Seigaku stunned.
"Inui, is this guy some kind of copy of Fuji? How come he can do everything Fuji can?" Inui asked, looking at Fuji in confusion.
"The White Whale?" Fuji didn't answer.
By now, Oishi was utterly stunned.
"How is this possible? He can even do Fuji's White Whale!" Oishi was beginning to lose heart.
Their opponents were simply too strong. Whether it was individual skill or teamwork, he and Kikumaru couldn't measure up!
"Hyotei scores. The score is 30–0!"
Chiba Yun Chuan could already predict the outcome. Oishi and Fuji from Seigaku weren't weak, but Oshitari and Gakuto were a genuine national-level doubles team!
They still hadn't shown their true strength, yet Oishi and Kikumaru were already struggling to keep up!
Ryuzaki Sumire watched Oishi and Kikumaru, her brows furrowing.
It looked like they were going to lose this doubles match. After coaching for so many years, she knew a player's mental state could directly affect their performance.
And Oishi's state of mind had clearly begun to falter!
Just as expected,
twenty minutes later,
"Game, Hyotei. The score is 6–0!"
As the referee's voice rang out,
the crowd broke into chatter once more.
"They're so strong! They won six games to love!"
Seigaku's doubles team didn't win a single game!
"Looks like Hyotei really will win this year's district tournament! Seigaku doesn't seem to stand a chance!"
"Go, Hyotei!"
"Hyotei will win!"
Loud cheers erupted from the stands.
Oishi and Kikumaru, Seigaku's future Golden Pair, had lost the match six games to love!
The match had also shown everyone just how formidable Hyotei's doubles team was!
"Sorry, Tezuka. We lost," Oishi said, walking over to Tezuka with his head bowed.
Kikumaru was the same. This was their worst defeat of the year. Their opponents had pressured them so relentlessly that they could barely breathe. They had been dominated the entire match and hadn't even won a single game.
"Oishi, you and Kikumaru did well. They're very strong. I don't think they've shown their full strength yet." Tezuka's words sent a shock through the crowd!
"What? That wasn't even their full strength?" Kawamura Takashi felt as though he'd misheard.
"That's right. When the match ended, Oshitari and Gakuto were breathing easily. They didn't look tired at all, so it's safe to say they weren't giving it their all." Inui had finished gathering information and joined the discussion.
Inui's words weighed heavily on everyone from Seigaku.
Oshitari and Gakuto returned to Hyotei's team together.
They were greeted with smiles and congratulations, of course. They had just won the match, after all.
Chiba Yun Chuan returned to Hyotei's team as well.
"Captain, we won!" Oshitari said to Chiba Yun Chuan.
"Good. Looks like you won't have to play against me."
Chiba Yun Chuan gave the two of them a rare smile.
His words made them grin sheepishly.
"Next up are Shishido and Taro. They've gone to warm up, right?
"I'll play singles three today. I want to take on Tezuka!" Chiba Yun Chuan wore a foxlike smile.
"Captain, you think their captain will play singles three? No way!" Oshitari was astonished. As far as he knew, the strongest players usually played singles one or two.
But then again, it wasn't so surprising. That was how their team had always done things.
"Seigaku's captain is playing singles three? What a pity. I wanted to play him myself, but it looks like I won't get the chance." At Chiba Yun Chuan's words, Atobe looked disappointed.
Chiba Yun Chuan wasn't entirely sure himself, but his instincts told him Tezuka might play singles three!
Given Coach Ryuzaki's personality, she might well put Tezuka in singles one, but Chiba Yun Chuan had a feeling she wouldn't follow the usual pattern.
"That Hyotei doubles team was really strong. They shut out Seigaku completely."
"I wonder how Seigaku will respond next."
"One of Hyotei's next doubles players is a first-year, right? That's impressive!"
Time passed quickly amid the crowd's discussion.
The second doubles match was about to begin!
"The second doubles match between Seigaku and Hyotei is about to begin. Players, please take the court."
As soon as the referee announced the start, four figures walked onto the court.
Seigaku's second doubles team: Inui and Kawamura Takashi.
Hyotei's second doubles team: Shishido Ryo and Ootori Choutarou.
After the players shook hands, they got ready to begin the match!
"Takashi, thanks for your effort. If you can't keep going, don't push yourself!" Inui said gravely to Kawamura Takashi, who had his back to him.
"Don't worry, Inui. I can do this. I'm going to give it everything I've got for Seigaku! Tennis, burn!" Kawamura Takashi shouted.
It was as though blazing flames had sprung up around Kawamura Takashi, and the air seemed to grow much hotter.
"Shishido, that guy up front looks pretty strong," Chotaro said slowly, watching Kawamura roar.
"Chotaro, use your serve and take them down!" Shishido wasn't fazed. His voice remained calm.
"The match begins. Hyotei to serve."
With the referee's announcement, the match officially began.
"Let's do this, Chotaro. Show them what we can do!" Ootori Choutarou stood at the baseline, ready to serve.
"Shishido-senpai, I'll give them a real surprise!" After saying that, he took a tennis ball from his bag and got ready to serve.
Meanwhile, on Seigaku's side,
"Tezuka, are you sure about this? Could it injure Kawamura's arm?" Fuji asked worriedly.
"Fuji, this was Coach's arrangement. Don't worry. I'll call a timeout if necessary," Tezuka replied expressionlessly.
On the court,
Ootori Choutarou stood at the baseline and tossed the ball up. When it reached its peak, he leaped lightly. His arm swung the racket, driving it hard toward the ball!
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